When the muscles of the back twist into unnatural positions, tighten or twist suddenly, muscle spasms often occur. Strain on the back muscles due to poor posture or lifting heavy objects incorrectly can also cause spasms. Muscle spasms are one of the main causes of back pain, and the types of pain they cause depend on the severity of the injury. The way back pain and muscle spasms are treated varies depending on the severity of the pain and the degree of muscle tension experienced by the patient.
Muscle spasms are usually caused by injury to the back muscles. Sudden movements or overloading of the back muscles forces them to contract involuntarily. Muscles that are tight or tense for an extended period of time are also prone to involuntary contractions. This tension is the basis of back pain and muscle spasms. Consequently, they can be caused by a wide range of daily activities from coughing to moving heavy boxes.
People have different thresholds for back pain. Physical symptoms associated with back muscle spasms range from mild cramping sensations to severe, disabling pain. Most pain occurs suddenly and lasts for several minutes at a time, although some muscle spasms in the back last for hours.
Treatment for back pain and muscle spasms depends on how the initial injury to the muscle occurred and whether or not the patient is physically able to rehabilitate the muscle on their own or needs the help of a medical professional. Improper movement or overuse injuries are the easiest to treat because the cause of the muscle spasms has already occurred. Most health care providers will apply some form of heat therapy, rest, and gentle range-of-motion exercises to relieve discomfort. If tension in the muscles is the cause of the back spasms, relief will take longer because the underlying muscle stiffness needs to be addressed through physical therapy sessions. A medical professional may also prescribe muscle relaxants to alleviate physical symptoms.
Stretching can sometimes help prevent muscle injuries. People should also maintain an upright posture to help the back muscles stay supple and flexible. Employing proper lifting techniques and wearing back supports limits stress on your back muscles and will often prevent back pain and muscle spasms.